3-day 26th US Trade Show to begin tomorrow

Published: 01:00 AM, 13 March 2019

Opportunities enormous in Bangladesh: US envoy

Business Desk

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller on Tuesday said Bangladesh offers enormous opportunities for investors and he would be working to bring top executives of American companies here to strengthen the trade and investment relations with Bangladesh.

"Because the opportunities here are absolutely enormous," he said adding that he is committed to working and see the US trade delegations, US trade missions and American CEOs (chief executive officers) visit Bangladesh over the next three years.

Such trade delegations usually visit Beijing and New Delhi frequently to explore business opportunities and the US envoy now wants to see them in Dhaka, too.The US Ambassador made the remarks while responding to a UNB question at a press conference held in a city hotel on '26th Annual US Trade Show 2019.'

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and the United States will jointly host the three-day trade show that will begin on Thursday.AmCham President Md Nurul Islam, Vice President Showkat Ali Sarkar, former AmCham President Aftab ul Islam and Economic Officer at the US Embassy here Jim Town were, among others, present at the press conference.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi will inaugurate the US Trade Show as the chief guest on Thursday morning that will have two seminars - "Education USA" and "Business Visas" on the second and third days respectively. Ambassador Miller said Bangladesh is playing a greater role on the regional and global stage, and there is much more interest on what is happening in Bangladesh and the opportunities that Bangladesh offers.

He appreciated entrepreneurial energy in Bangladesh and the energy in the private sector and highlighted how the two countries and its people can be benefited through stronger partnership. "The entrepreneurial energy is driving the country forward."

Miller said it is an opportunity to showcase the high quality products and services that US companies provide to Bangladesh and recognize the contributions of the US companies made towards Bangladesh's economic development.

The two-way trade between Bangladesh and the US stands at US$ 8.2 billion that shows an "amazing increased" from 2008, he said.The US envoy said there is still a great deal of potential to increase the sales of US goods and services here in Bangladesh which witnessed an impressive economic development.

Responding to a question, Miller said the US companies contribute significantly to the economic development of Bangladesh and mentioned that economic development has to go hands in hands with democratic development."Bangladesh has much to be proud of when it comes to economic growth and development over the past decade," he said adding that economic development and respect for democracy and human rights are mutually reinforcing, not competing objectives.

Highlighting the importance of the US trade show, Aftab ul Islam said the US company General Electric (GE) is one of the good examples of taking the best advantage of coming here in Bangladesh."I'm sure US investors are very, very happy about investing in Bangladesh. This is an opportunity for both the nations," he said adding that the opportunities are enormous in Bangladesh.

AmCham President Md Nurul Islam said some 46 exhibitors occupying 74 booths will participate in the 26th US Trade Show to exhibit their products and services. The show will remain open for visitors from 10am to 8pm.